Ruthin School in North Wales is celebrating after being awarded an internationally acclaimed eco-award.
Ruthin School has been awarded their Green Flag Award thanks to the environmental education programme, Eco-Schools.
Eco-Schools is an international programme run in Wales by environmental charity, Keep Wales Tidy and funded by the Welsh Government. Over 90% of schools in Wales are registered on the programme.
The Eco-Schools programme inspires and empowers pupils to be leaders of change in their community, helping them learn about sustainable living and global citizenship while giving them the information and support they need to make changes that will benefit their school, local environment and wider community, such as reducing waste, energy consumption, transport, healthy living and litter issues.
As part of the Eco-Schools assessment, Ruthin School demonstrated sustained, student-led action to improve environmental practice across the campus. Through its Eco Group, students have led a range of practical initiatives, including planting a small orchard, developing raised beds, introducing a structured waste disposal system, and reducing single-use plastics by replacing sauce sachets with refillable bottles. Sustainability has also been embedded into lessons and wider school life, supported by the maintenance, grounds and kitchen teams. This long-term, whole-school approach enabled the school to progress from Bronze to Silver and ultimately achieve Green Flag status.
Michelle Kenworthy, ALNCo said:
“This began with student voice and student leadership, and it has grown into something that now runs through our whole school. From our orchard and raised beds to reducing waste in the dining hall, our students have shown tremendous commitment to protecting the environment. Gaining the Green Flag Award is a huge achievement for our whole community, and it reflects years of steady work by our Eco Group and staff. Now, our focus is on building on this success and continuing to do even more in the years ahead.
An Education Officer for Keep Wales Tidy said:
“Congratulations to Ruthin School on their achievement. They are a shining example of how young people in Wales are committed to achieving a sustainable future for their school but also for their wider community and local environment.”
For more information on the Eco-Schools programme, visit www.keepwalestidy.cymru
